Snow White Read Online Free

the fears neither of them were willing to voice, “how long until we lose our mother completely to the control of the mirror?”

CHAPTER FOUR
    “SNOW,” HER FATHER CALLED out from the west drawing room as she headed up the grand staircase. “Come in here a moment—I would like you to meet someone.”
    Snow paused at the second step, knowing it really was inevitable—she would have to meet Prince Terrance. She turned and smiled at her father, who was standing just inside the door as she came into the fashionably decorated green-and-white room. “Yes?” Her gaze focused solely on her father, not the man she could see from the corner of her eye seated in Melantha’s favorite chair about eight feet away.
    Herbert wrapped his arm around her shoulder and turned her toward the handsome man as he stood up. “Prince Terrance wrote me and requested a visit some time ago. I replied to the missive, as I felt it necessary that you two meet. He is of the Sybright court, which was, until recently, run by his father, the late King Alexander II. Now his mother is on the throne until he can find a suitable woman to marry and make her his queen. Alexander and I were schoolmates years ago and the best of friends. I, of course, welcome any of his family into my home, and I hope you will go out of your way to guarantee that Terrance is treated with the greatest courtesy and respect.”
    Snow curtsied and met the prince’s eyes. He was probably one of the more handsome men who had come to try his hand with her. When he smiled and bowed low, she knew then why Raven was so smitten by him—dimples. How many times had Raven exclaimed over wanting a husband with dimples?
    Her father continued, “Prince Terrance, may I present my fair daughter, the delightfully captivating princess Snow White? She is my only child by birth and holds a very special place in my heart. She is goodness itself—kind and thoughtful, with a lively mind and caring soul.”
    Snow tried not to grimace as she looked over at her father. The fine lines around his eyes creased as he spoke of her. She loved him so very much, but there were days when he could mortify her.
    He grinned and kissed her forehead. “Now stop blushing so much, my dear, and shake hands with the poor man. He has traveled days to be here.” He gently pushed her toward him.
    Snow held out her hand and enjoyed the prince’s firm, yet careful, hold. “Hello,” she said, her gaze meeting his. “I hope you find everything you are looking for here in Olivian and will go home a very happy man.”
    “Only time will tell. I await these next six weeks with fervent hope that what you say may come true.”
    Those dark brown eyes danced a moment, and she could not tell if he knew she was speaking of Raven or if he believed her to be speaking of herself. Whichever the answer, he did seem to have a maturity about him—he had an older soul than any of the other suitors who had come before. He was different.
    She tilted her head slightly and smiled— genuinely smiled this time. “Thank you. I believe we shall all have fun getting to know one another.”
    He watched that smile and inhaled sharply as if he were reacting to whatever enchantment she had about her.
    Snow’s face fell. No—he could not decide upon her for his wife. Not until he saw Raven again. There is no future with me; there never will be for any man until dear Raven is happily settled. “Father?” She turned toward him. “Since the prince has planned to stay with us for so long, do you mind if I introduce him to Corlan and Raven as well? I believe we shall all get along famously.”
    “Of course! I would expect nothing less. He is staying in the guest quarters and should be treated as one of the family as much as possible.”
    “Then I shall take him to the library, where they both are at present.” She glanced over. “If that is well with you?”
    Terrance hesitated a fraction before stating, “Yes. Thank you.”
    “If you will